Man’s best friend: Multi-talented celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson & his lovely rescued bulldog, Violet

Beau
Nelson

Beau Nelson

The PAGERIE Pet is not only your son or daughter, but closest confidant. Introducing Man ’s Best Friend, a series that reveals our favourite PAGERIE companions and the personality traits that make them one of a kind.

A dynamic force in the beauty and fashion industry, Beau Nelson's journey is one of passion, creativity, and relentless self-discovery. From his beginnings in a small-town theatre department to becoming a renowned makeup artist, photographer, and consultant, Beau’s story is a testament to the power of self-taught mastery and perseverance.

In this candid conversation, you'll discover what drives Beau's artistic vision, his deep love for his dog Violet, and his thoughts on style and personal growth. Whether you’re an aspiring makeup artist, a lover of art, or a dog enthusiast, Beau’s insights are sure to inspire and motivate you.

The PAGERIE Pet is not only your son or daughter, but closest confidant. Introducing Man ’s Best Friend, a series that reveals our favourite PAGERIE companions and the personality traits that make them one of a kind.

A dynamic force in the beauty and fashion industry, Beau Nelson's journey is one of passion, creativity, and relentless self-discovery. From his beginnings in a small-town theatre department to becoming a renowned makeup artist, photographer, and consultant, Beau’s story is a testament to the power of self-taught mastery and perseverance.

In this candid conversation, you'll discover what drives Beau's artistic vision, his deep love for his dog Violet, and his thoughts on style and personal growth. Whether you’re an aspiring makeup artist, a lover of art, or a dog enthusiast, Beau’s insights are sure to inspire and motivate you.

Bonjour Beau! Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Beau Nelson, and I live in Los Angeles. I have four jobs that are all interconnected. I am a makeup artist, I consult for product development for cosmetics companies, I'm a Vogue-published photographer, I make art sometimes… oh, and I'm a dog dad!

What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
I grew up in a small town known for its theatre department, so I began as an actor and learned the basics of makeup there. I was interested in fashion and felt that makeup was something I could teach myself. So, I bought a few books and started learning.

“I was interested in fashion and felt that makeup was something I could teach myself.”

Bonjour Beau! Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Beau Nelson, and I live in Los Angeles. I have four jobs that are all interconnected. I am a makeup artist, I consult for product development for cosmetics companies, I'm a Vogue-published photographer, I make art sometimes… oh, and I'm a dog dad!

What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
I grew up in a small town known for its theatre department, so I began as an actor and learned the basics of makeup there. I was interested in fashion and felt that makeup was something I could teach myself. So, I bought a few books and started learning.

“I was interested in fashion and felt that makeup was something I could teach myself.”

“...I said he’s mine. He’s perfect. And he has proven to be utterly perfect ever since.”

Bonjour Beau! Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Beau Nelson, and I live in Los Angeles. I have four jobs that are all interconnected. I am a makeup artist, I consult for product development for cosmetics companies, I'm a Vogue-published photographer, I make art sometimes… oh, and I'm a dog dad!

That's amazing. What inspired you to have such a fulfilling career, and what inspired you to become a makeup artist in particular?
I started my career as a makeup artist. I grew up in a small town known for its theatre department, so I began in theatre as an actor and learned the basics of makeup there. I was interested in fashion and felt that makeup was something I could teach myself. I didn't feel I could teach myself how to design or sew, but makeup felt accessible. So, I bought a few books and started learning.

“I TAUGHT MYSELF MAKEUP, THEN RETOUCHING, THEN PHOTOGRAPHY. I EVEN TOOK SOME PERFUME LESSONS A FEW YEARS AGO AND, NOW, I HAVE A LITTLE LAB AT HOME WHERE I EXPERIMENT.”

So, you taught yourself everything?
Yes, that's been the theme of my entire career. I taught myself makeup, then retouching, then photography. I even took some perfume lessons a few years ago and, now, I have a little lab at home where I experiment!

Could you share with our community some of the most famous faces you've worked with and any interesting stories?
I've worked with Kristen Stewart for a long time, Zoe Kravitz, Christina Hendricks, Nicole Richie, Alicia Vikander, Cindy Crawford, and Iman among others. Iman was the first celebrity I worked with consistently. We worked on a TV show in Canada together, and she was very supportive when I moved to New York. She taught me a lot about being firm and standing my ground, yet being kind and funny.

Tell us about Violet! How did she come into your life?
My friend Sahara Lotti, owner of Lashify, supports bulldog rescue and convinced me to foster a dog from Roadogs Rescue. Initially, I agreed to foster a bulldog named Lily. While in New York, the rescue team sent me a picture of another dog, Violet. They said another family wanted to take Lily. When Violet climbed into my lap and fell asleep on the drive home, I knew she was the one.

Violet quickly became a beloved companion. She makes me smile countless times a day, brings warmth and laughter into my home.

How would you describe your personal fashion style? Does Violet have her own unique style too? How do PAGERIE accessories fit into both of your wardrobes?
I wear fancy sweatpants and the same t-shirts—I have about 40 of them. But in my fantasy, I imagine dressing more like a sophisticated version of Rick Owens, with a touch of Yohji Yamamoto's conservative side.

Most of the time, Violet sports her beautiful PAGERIE Línque collar. People often ask if they can get one, and I tell them it's also a necklace! It is her main accessory. It's stylish, high-quality, and suits her perfectly.

Tell us about Violet! How did she come into your life?

My friend Sahara Lotti, owner of Lashify, supports bulldog rescue and convinced me to foster a dog from Roadogs Rescue. Initially, I agreed to foster a bulldog named Lily. While in New York, the rescue team sent me a picture of another dog, Violet. They said another family wanted to take Lily. When Violet climbed into my lap and fell asleep on the drive home, I knew she was the one.

Violet quickly became a beloved companion. She makes me smile countless times a day, brings warmth and laughter into my home.

How would you describe your personal fashion style? Does Violet have her own unique style too? How do PAGERIE accessories fit into both of your wardrobes?
I wear fancy sweatpants and the same t-shirts—I have about 40 of them. But in my fantasy, I imagine dressing more like a sophisticated version of Rick Owens, with a touch of Yohji Yamamoto's conservative side.

Most of the time, Violet sports her beautiful PAGERIE Línque collar. People often ask if they can get one, and I tell them it's also a necklace! It is her main accessory. It's stylish, high-quality, and suits her perfectly.

What do you love most about PAGERIE pieces?
The quality is stunning. PAGERIE pieces are modern classics that fit any style because they're not flashy. I love the sleek, simple design and the exceptional craftsmanship. The packaging of each piece makes you feel like you're getting something special. I also love the colour black, and, of course, adore the Rava leash en Noir. The braiding reminds me of Bottega Veneta, and the quality is even more impressive!

How do you balance your busy career and being a dog dad?
I'm very lucky! I often take Violet with me to the photo studio or the office. When I'm on set, she’s there with me, and my clients always ask if I'm bringing Violet. Balancing my career and being a dog dad works out because Violet is adaptable and well-behaved. It's definitely a team effort with a lot of help from friends and colleagues who adore her as much as I do.

What is your favourite thing to do with Violet?
She's like a little old lady who wants to go to bed at 8 pm. After work, we go for a walk, and then we relax and watch TV together. She loves to growl at dogs on TV, which is hilarious because she doesn't growl in real life.

If Violet could talk, what do you think she’d say about her PAGERIE accessories?
“Très chic”!

Beau left us with a piece of invaluable advice that led him to his success: "Seek inspiration and knowledge wherever you can find it. Assist others, observe their techniques, and never stop learning."